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April 29, 2009

I am really starting to feel it now. I feel like all of a sudden I have so much to do, so little time and so much attention to all 3 that I am getting really tired really fast. Why didn't anyone tell me 3 was hard? Luckily, Owen still sleeps quite abit but Andrew has been coughing for about 3 weeks now and it doesn't seem to go away. I have been trying to teach him to cover his mouth when he coughs and when he gets close to Owen, he gets really close, like right in his face close. I am afraid that Owen will get it too. That is the last thing we need, a sick baby.Keaton has been doing really well. He has really started to involve Andrew more in his games and activities. Before that didn't really happen. Now they are really good friends and I a lot of the time I will hear them laughing really hard somewhere in the house, but I have caught on really fast that it is usually something not good.For instance, this evening, like most nights, I was a single mom again and I decided to put the boys in my bathtub instead of hauling everyone upstairs. Owen had a massive blowout and I was changing him on my bed when all of a sudden I hear really deep belly laughs. I knew it wasn't good so I went in and saw Andrew and Keaton with all their clothes off stuffing them into the toliet. Needless to say I was livid. I was alittle harsh on my boys, but who wouldn't after that. So I had to fish all the clothes out of the toliet. It was gross. Just one of those days of being a mom I guess. Does anyone have any advise for me on how to raise 3 boys? I can't wait to see what is in store for me and don't get me wrong, I love my boys to death, its just I NEED A BREAK! PLEASE LET ME REST!

April 26, 2009

Today is Sunday and the boys are at church and it is just Owen and I this morning. It has been so peaceful and so quiet. I actually have had time to think about this past week and all the craziness it has brought into our lives. Owen is almost a week. He will be tomorrow and this week went by so fast and yet so slow. We have had quite a few adjustments but I think we are doing well. Since I have some time to myself a few people have emailed and called wondering how the labor and delivery went. Lance and I had to be to Labor and Delivery by 7 am last Monday morning to be induced. The doctor told me that he wanted to get him here on a schedule in fear that if my water broke somewhere between our home and the hospital the baby would be born somewhere along the way. When we checked in we were the only ones there and then I think about 10 minutes into signing the papers and registration about 5 other couples showed up to be induced also. It was a busy morning for the Labor and Delivery unit. They got us into our room pretty quick. They hooked me up to the Pitocin and an I.V. and then we waited for awhile for that to kick in. Now mind you I was already dialated to a 6 when we got there so I knew this one would come fast. My doctor came in and checked me around 9:30 and I was dialating to almost a 7. He told me if I wanted my epidural to get it then so he could break my bags of water. So we called in the doctor. Epidural went great and fast. A lot of pressure but they are worth it right?Well about 10:30 am the doctor came in to break my water and I was feeling quite abit of pressure. I could feel the contractions starting to come fast and hard adn asked why the epidural wasn't kicking in. The nurse, who we just loved, told me to give it some time. But time went by and still no numbness. Alittle bit but not much. Then about 11 a.m. I was really feeling it. I told the nurse I needed to push and that he was coming and so she checked and sure enough I was fully dialated. So she called in the doctor and we started to push. I have never felt so much pain in my life. I was so uncomfortable, I just wanted them to pull him out. When they make you sit up and pull your knees practically up to your face and then tell you to push as hard as you can when you can't breath it was pretty intense. After only about 12 minutes of pushing Owen was born at 11:12 a.m. He came out screaming and beautiful. He weighed 9 pounds 4 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. He has some dark brown hair. More hair than any of my other boys had. He is so beautiful. I love all the little rolls he already has on his legs and thighs. I have recovered pretty fast. I really didn't tear at all which the doctor commented was amazing considering how big he was. I feel great and I have already lost all the weight I gained with Owen. Now I just need to work on the extras from Keaton and Andrew.I can't believe how different Owen looks. Everyday he changes and we are not sure who he looks like yet. Most think he looks like Keaton. I agree to some extent but I see a little bit of Andrew in him too. Time will tell.The boys are doing well. I am having a hard time trying to dedicate my time to each of them. It has been nice because Owen sleeps pretty much the whole day so I have been able to focus on the boys and help them out. Andrew is very curious about feeding time. He likes to sit close and try to observe what is going on. Keaton already knows and isn't curious. He just sits back and waits until he is done feeding and then they both like to help burp him.The first week so far has been great. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way. Owen is sleeping 3-4 hours at a stretch at night. He is nursing really well and he is just a very happy baby. We love him so much.

April 23, 2009

Here are some more pictures of Owen. We are so in love with this little guy. He had such a sweet disposition and he has been a sweet boy to have in our family. The boys just love holding him. Keaton woke up this morning and before he woke us up I woke up to find him standing over his little crib in our room just watching him. He was so sweet to watch him watch Owen. We really are in love and I couldn't imagine life without him now.So far so good. Last night Owen slept 4 hours at a stretch. I am holding my breath that it will continue but isn't it always true that the yogart hits the fan after only a couple of days being home? So far we are doing fine. He is nursing really well and loves to be held. He is going to be spoiled. He already is.Here are some more pictures we have taken of him. Enjoy!

April 21, 2009

Here are some more pictures of Owen we took this morning since I realized that I didn't get any good close ups of him. He did so well last night. He slept and ate well and his blood sugar levels are where they should be. We are hoping to break free from the hospital tonight but we will wait to see about that.The boys are in love with him. Keaton mentions him in his prayers. They are two very anxious and excited big brothers.Lance's mom flew into Boise last night. We are so happy to have her with us. The boys have had a fun time playing with Grandma Snyder. So far, so good. Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers, phone calls and thoughtful gifts. We have appreciated all of them.The big brothers kissing Owen

April 20, 2009

He is finally here! He is healthy and we are so happy. Labor and Delievery went well. After only 4 hours of labor and 13 minutes of pushing he came.He weighs 9 lbs. 4 oz. and in 21 1/12 inches long. He is a big boy and he is very healthy. His older brothers Keaton and Andrew were so excited to see him. They had a fun time holding and kissing him. I will post more when we get home but for now this will have to do. Thanks for the flowers, the calls, and everything else that has been done to help us make this easier. We love you all and can't wait to bring him home. Here are some pictures from today.

April 18, 2009

For all of those wondering if I have had the baby yet, the answer is still no. I am scheduled to be induced Monday morning at 7 am so stay tuned. We are so ready to have this baby and I am looking forward to not being pregnant anymore.A small recap of what we have been up to. The weather is fabulous and the boys are spending every moment they can outside. We are planting flowers, playing with cousins, family and friends.Last night we went out with the Atwood family. They are a great couple from our other ward that we just love. They ended up taking us to a Pre-Paid legal get together, which was ok but we end up doing that everytime we go out. Doug Atwood showed up in his new old 84' Volkswagon Vanagon bus that he bought spur of the moment last week. It was so fun to ride in it. It reminded me of a time when my friend Karl Pedersen bought an old bus when we were in high school. Thanks Atwood's for a fun outing. My last one for awhile.Keep posted for baby pictures on Monday. We love you all!!!!

April 11, 2009

The Saturday before Easter has always been the busiest day for finding hidden eggs ever since I can remember. I remember always attending some ward activity involving easter egg hunts, and since I have been married to Lance we have always had an afternoon BBQ with his family. Well that is what we did today. We started out this morning down at the church for breakfast and an easter devotional. Our bishop recently returned from a 2 week trip to Israel and he shared some neat experiences with us, and then the moment all the children were waiting for ~ the egg hunt. Our boys were really into this year. They are actually understanding holidays now and it has been so much fun to watch them get excited about it.The eggs were hidden all over the baseball fields. The boys had baskets in hand and were ready to fill them up. Well after about 10 minutes their baskets were completely full. They were so excited to eat all the candy. Every parent there was thinking diabetes in their minds, I know we were. But the boys had a fun time at our ward activity. We had a great turn out.Then after naps we headed over to the Ray's house. Stan and Michelle host the family BBQ every year. Their house is amazing with some many animals, fun toys and room for the kids to run and play. It was nice to see everyone. It usually takes a holiday or some other special event for the Ray side of the family to get together. It was nice. The boys had a great time being entertained by the other kids while we sat and visited with the adults and catch up. Their were some baby bunnies there and Andrew just loved watching them. He wanted to hold one but they had some pretty sharp claws that he just watched from the side. It was so sweet to watch him with those animals.Then there was another egg hunt. These boys just couldn't get enough eggs in their baskets. More candy! They would have eaten it all if we didn't know. I thought they were so cute with their baskets, here are some more pictures of our fun events today.

The other day we were at my parents house with my sister and her daughter Ava, and it was such a beautiful day outside and there was some wind so we dug around the house itching to fly a kite. We found two old ones that my grandmother had stowed away in her cupboard so we pulled them out to try and mend them. I don't think I had ever flown a kite with my children before. They were so excited to try it out. Well one was completely out of service, it just wouldn't work and the other one was an eagle and it had some potential so we tried it out. We went out into my parents field and tried to fly it. It worked! A little bit, enough for the boys to get their wiggles out and chase it down. My sister Rachel was such a sport to run around trying to keep it up so they could try to catch the tail. We had a great time and since then we have called my sister The Kite Runner. Don't mistake it for the book that is titled that at all. She was just a kite runner that made my boys happy. Thanks Rachel for doing that! We had a great day!

My good friend Brenda is due just after me with her first baby boy. Last week during conference we had her shower at my home. She had a great turn out and it was so much fun to see so many friends from our other ward come. Brenda is a good friend who I met in our last ward. We served in the Young Women's Presidency together and have been playing ever since. We had lots of fun games and great food. She has a daughter who is almost 3, Riley, and my boys just love to play with her. We try to have them over as much as we can. They are such a fun couple to play with. It has been so much fun being pregnant together expecting boys. The other night they came over to play American Idol on our Wii set. While the boys sang their hearts out we sat and rubbed Peppermint Oil on our feet, which is suppose to help induce labor, but so far we are still both pregnant.

April 8, 2009

Yes, for all of those who have been asking and wondering, we are still pregnant. It is amazing that we are still here. Last week I was dialated to almost a 5 and the doctors thought for sure I would have had him this past weekend if not the first part of this week but here I am sitting here writing. I have been really really tired, in a lot to pain and just miserable but who isn't their last month of pregnancy?We are ready for him to come though. Everything is ready. My house is clean, my closets are organized and we are just anxious for him to come.Sorry to all of those who have called and called but have not had any return phone calls. I am just not in the mood to call a hundred people to tell them not yet, so you will hear about it when he comes. Just hold still. We love you!

April 2, 2009

Today I went into the doctor's for an appointment and we are dilated to 4 cm and almost 100% effaced. He thinks I could be having this baby possibly this weekend or the beginning of the next. We are so excited. Just makes me need to get everything ready for this one really fast. I have been taking my time getting it all together but now we really have to get working. Here are the pictures of my other babies with their measurements. So I guess send in your guesses on his weight and height and we will see who will win. I will send you something fun for the one who is the closest.This was my chunky monkey Keaton when he was born at a whooping 9lbs. 9oz. and 21 1/2 inches long. He was so sweet.This was Andrew right after he was born. He was a week early and weighed 8lbs. 7oz. and was 21 inches long. He was so calm and so content.This is Keaton about 6-7 weeks old. This was one of the few moments he slept and was not screaming.

I just had to post this picture of Andrew when he was just about 2 months old. He was such a fat little guy, I loved it!

April 1, 2009

There is a mission reunion coming up this coming weekend that I am really sad to miss. I can't attend because we are so close to having a baby, it is not worth the risk. I have always enjoyed going back to visit old missionary friends and to "remember the days" as they so call it. Since I can't attend I decided to do a little bit of my own remembering. I found my mission scrapebook and all the pictures I took during my 18 months in the mission field. I served in the Chile, Santiago West Mission from October 2000 to April 2002. It was 18 months of tears, sweat, and complete happiness. It is hard to explain what a mission is like to someone who has never served one. From the time I entered the MTC until the last day of my mission I had 11 different companions, 5 different areas and a handful of incredible baptismal experiences. Here are some pictures I dug up. I will try to explain them. To those of you who I served with who read my blog, you will get a good laugh and to those of you who have no idea that I served a mission, well here you go....Santiago is beautiful, ugly, unique and a very dirty city of 7.5 million peopleMy second companion(Hna. Van De Graaff) and I with our first baptism Franco and Clara at dinner in their home.My second companion Hna. Van De Graaff is my first area. This was the patio to our home in 5 de Abril, Maipu. She was an incredible missionary!Morning companionship study time, 5 de Abril, MaipuMy third area, Villa Brasil, La Granja. This was a common sight to see after the street markets (ferias) were done. The dogs and garbage man would later come by and clean it up, most of the time. It sure didn't add to the smell.Our stake baptism the La Granja Stake. This was a family we had been teaching and the father was an inactive member. We activated him and he was later able to baptize his family.Some of my very best friends to this day - Elder Griffeth and Hna. Makai at exchanges in Republica. I loved serving and being with these hard working missioaries. They changed my life for the better. Thank you!An amazing family with amazing faith that we taught in my last area Melipilla. They never committed to be baptized but I am confident that they will one day. Their son, Mario, in the middle (who has cerebal palsy) was such a tender boy and this sweet mom never left his side.The ward mission leader in my very last area Melipilla. Hno. Nelson and his family were the most well do to family I ever saw during my mission. They even drove a mini van that they bought from the U.S.A and he helped us gather people each Sunday for church. What an amazing family. They had such beautiful chilren.Often times we would have "free car washes" for those who had car at the church to find investigators. They were so much fun, in this one particular car wash in Ochagavia this man should up completely drunk. We had a fun time talking with him.Hanging out with the American sisters that I was living with in Ochagavia. The others were all natives and they were such hard ones to work with. This was during our lunch break. We would always change into our second set of clothes, because the summers would just make you sweat like no other. After our showers taking a breather.My all time most favorite zone of the mission in La Granja. We would sometimes get together at the stake center and have a bbq with the elders.Holidays were hard but we made the most of it, my 4th area, Davila, Ochagavia.4th area - Our zone having our last party before Elder Griffeth went home.This was the strangest baptism. I won't explain but it was in Ochagavia.This was the cutest little man ever. I was serving with my last companion, Hna. Campos(from Argentina) in my last area Melipilla. Every time he saw us he would pull over and make me smile for him because he said I had the whitest teeth he had ever seen. Which was not true but the thought was nice.Celebrating Chile's Independance - September 18th. I was in La Granja and the Stake put on a big festivity that day. It was so much fun.My last ward I served in- El Barrio Melipilla. It was a ward who really struggled.My last night in the mission. Saying goodbye with all our friends who came to see us off.My dear Mission President- President Hadfield and his sweet wife Hna. Lexine Hadfield. This was the last picture of them taken together before he passed away last year. I had the opportunity to go to his funeral. It was a very humbling experience.This picture was taken at last years mission reunion, 2 weeks before President passed away. The Hadfields.

So there you have it. Do you think it was long enough? These are just some of the pictures of some the places and people who have had a huge impact on my life. Thanks for all the good memories. It was fun to reflect and look back on the good old days.